Violence broke out late Thursday in Alice Springs following the suspected killing of a five-year-old Indigenous girl, identified by her family as Kumanjayi Little Baby, with a crowd assaulting a man suspected in connection with her death before clashing with police. Police said the suspect, Jefferson Lewis, 47, was attacked by community members before being taken into custody and transported to hospital for treatment. The clashes later unfolded outside Alice Springs Hospital, where a large crowd of around 400 people gathered, according to Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole. Aut

Violence broke out late Thursday in Alice Springs following the suspected killing of a five-year-old Indigenous girl, identified by her family as Kumanjayi Little Baby, with a crowd assaulting a man suspected in connection with her death before clashing with police.

Police said the suspect, Jefferson Lewis, 47, was attacked by community members before being taken into custody and transported to hospital for treatment. The clashes later unfolded outside Alice Springs Hospital, where a large crowd of around 400 people gathered, according to Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole.

Authorities said officers used tear gas to disperse the unrest, as emergency vehicles were damaged and at least one police vehicle was set on fire, local media images confirmed. Police also reported injuries among officers, though the number of those hurt was not immediately confirmed.

Kumanjayi Little Baby had disappeared late Saturday from an Indigenous community camp known as Old Timers, prompting a days-long search involving ground teams, horseback patrols and helicopters, police said. Her body was found about five kilometres from the camp, authorities confirmed.

Lewis, who police said has a violent criminal history, had been released from prison six days before the girl's disappearance, according to Northern Territory Police. Authorities also said he had been staying at the home where the child lived at the time of her disappearance, SBS News reported.

Lewis has since been transferred to Darwin, the Northern Territory capital, where he remains in custody. Commissioner Dole confirmed the transfer was made due to safety concerns for hospital staff, police, and Lewis himself, telling ABC Radio the move was carried out by police air wing at approximately 3:30am Friday.

Additional officers were deployed to restore order, and authorities said the situation had begun to stabilise by early Friday.

Community leaders and officials have urged calm, calling on residents to allow the legal process to proceed as investigations continue.

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